A Day Late

[Werewolf]

A day late but not a dollar short. Since yesterday was Veterans day I thought I'd post something for all the veterans among us to be proud of and all those who are not to know and appreciate:

It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to
demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose
coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Father Dennis Edward O'Brien,
Sergeant, USMC

[Cpt_Grogg]

I think the word soldier is a bit too weak. I mean, it’s the soldier in a dictatorship that prevent you from all those freedoms.

Sorry if I am nitpicking.

[Skip]

I think the word soldier is a bit too weak. I mean, it’s the soldier in a dictatorship that prevent you from all those freedoms.

Sorry if I am nitpicking.

Although this is pretty much self-evident from the text: while a soldier can achieve things which are either good or evil (I'm not going into perception of good/evil), the solder is a "place-holder" for all of those who have served and sacrificed so that these freedoms could indeed be established and maintained. The statements (or poem, if you will) simply point out that the ones who make the most use of these freedoms, and who often make the most noise about that freedom's importance, are not the ones who established, secured, or maintain that freedom. That is done by others who are willing to place their own safety in jeopardy in order to establish and defend these freedoms. And yet, these are generally the very ones condemned by many of those who take so much enjoyment from their freedom.

[Lone*star49]

...

READ ABOVE POST BY SKIP ~



...well-writtin Skip and I second it.. :thumbup:

Also: approve of other statements.. freedom is the right to change.. :exclam:

*** TY ..WW, nice, well recieved.. :thumbup:

[Cpt_Grogg]

Agree, it is the soldier who makes the sacrifice. But it isn’t often in the role of " holder of freedom" the soldier is criticised by the reporter or poet, rather other of the soldiers abilities of actions. The subject reminds me of another somewhat different question "shall undemocratic opinions be allowed in a democracy" but that is maybe too close to politics.

By the way, I wonder what you guys think of the philosophical meaning of a soldier. What characterise a good soldier? What is the most important characteristic of a soldier, to carry out orders or to judge and act with his own will? I know what Sun Zi would say ;)

[Blackbear]

By the way, I wonder what you guys think of the philosophical meaning of a soldier. What characterise a good soldier? What is the most important characteristic of a soldier, to carry out orders or to judge and act with his own will? I know what Sun Zi would say ;)


Cpt_Grogg,
The US Army sums up the traits of a good soldier in "The Seven Army Values". Although a basic ideal, they ring true of a good soldier, and I not only agree with them, but also strive to apply them to my life always. They are:
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage

Werewolf,
Thanks for posting that poem. It means a lot to me. So much so that I have it framed and it hangs in the hallway in my apartment. I first come across this poem in a leaflet handed out at the memorial service of a soldier that died in training, during the time I was training at Ft. Knox. He left a widow and two young children. They were present at the service. It was a very sad day for us all, to lose one of our own. Everyone that knew him would tell you that he lived the Army Values at all times. That soldier was a good soldier.